Emerging Trends in Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Targeted Cancer Therapy

Abstract

Oncology is changing with nanoparticle-based drug delivery methods, which may overcome conventional chemotherapy's bioavailability, systemic toxicity, and lack of selectivity. Recent nanotechnology advances have allowed the design of multifunctional nanoparticles like liposomes, dendrimers, polymeric micelles, metallic nanoparticles, and lipid-based carriers that can improve drug solubility, prolong circulation time, and deliver therapeutic agents directly to tumor sites through passive (permeability and retention effect) and active (ligand-mediated targeting) mechanisms. Nanoparticles containing targeting ligands, antibodies, peptides, and aptamers improve site-specific delivery and therapeutic efficacy by decreasing off-target effects. In addition, stimulus-responsive nanoparticles that release medications in reaction to internal (pH, enzymes, redox status) or exterior (light, heat, magnetic fields) stimuli are promise for precision medicine. Despite progress, clinical translation is hindered by large-scale manufacture, regulatory approval, long-term toxicity, and tumor microenvironment heterogeneity. Nanoparticles are being added to immunotherapy, gene therapy, and combination regimens to improve therapeutic outcomes. This study discusses nanoparticle-based cancer drug delivery design methodologies, therapeutic applications, preclinical and clinical progress, and future directions to bridge laboratory innovation with clinical success.